MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The frightening numbers released recently regarding the severe understaffing of police stations in the Western Cape further reinforces the Democratic Alliance’s call for the deployment of the army to the most vulnerable areas.
As indicated by Western Cape MPP Mark Wiley, "the police to population ratio has worsened from one police officer to every 385 people in 2016, to one police officer to every 509 people in 2018.
"Currently, each officer is now serving on average 124 more residents than in 2016. "In addition, the police to population ratio here is much worse than the national average which is one officer for every 369 residents."
"Until police under-resourcing is ultimately addressed in the province, the deployment of the SANDF can act as visible peace keeping and will free up the police to do the necessary investigative work needed to not only prevent crime but ensure that those perpetrators of crime are in fact arrested.
"Our people are suffering at the hands of criminals and gangs. We see too many mothers burying their children after stray bullets claim their lives. Gang shootouts on our streets are out of control and the police is struggling to keep people safe.
"While policing is a national government competency, the DA-led Western Cape is working with communities, policing forums and neighbourhood watch structures to provide additional safety and security to the people of the province.
"Again, we call on the ANC national government to put the safety of people first and deploy the army at once."
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